The season 13 finale of Chicago Fire wrapped up on an uplifting note. Severide and Kidd discovered they were expecting a baby. Herrmann stepped down so Mouch could finally step into leadership. Violet and Carver shared a long-awaited kiss. For once, it looked like happiness was spreading through Firehouse 51.
But fans of the NBC drama know the calm never lasts. And now, just weeks before the season 14 premiere, the cracks are already beginning to show.
The Showrunner Drops a Bombshell
In an interview with TV Insider, showrunner Andrea Newman teased that the opening episode won’t be business as usual. Instead, she confirmed there will be a “huge shake-up in the very first episode”—one that sets the tone for the rest of the season.
That warning alone has left fans bracing for heartbreak. While Newman didn’t reveal specifics, she hinted that the ripple effect from episode one will fuel the drama for months. In other words, no one at Firehouse 51 is safe.
Who’s Really Leaving the Firehouse?
Several major cast exits have already been confirmed ahead of season 14. Michael Bradway won’t be back as Jack Damon, Severide’s half-brother, due to scheduling conflicts. Daniel Kyri’s Darren Ritter will return briefly, but his exit arc has already been filmed. Jake Lockett, who plays Carver, is also stepping down as a series regular.
On paper, those departures alone are enough to unsettle Firehouse 51. But Newman’s comments suggest something bigger. The season 13 finale also ended with the looming threat of department-wide layoffs. That unresolved storyline could now come crashing into the season opener, forcing beloved firefighters out of the station.
Could Layoffs Tear the Family Apart?
If the Chicago Fire Department decides to slash jobs, the fallout will be brutal. Herrmann only just stepped aside so Mouch could lead, and being forced out entirely would devastate them both. Cruz, who has been a rock in recent years, could also be a target. Even if characters remain in Chicago, losing their place inside Firehouse 51 would shatter the dynamic fans love.
Carver’s exit may play out differently, given his transfer application to Denver. Violet may struggle with his decision, but at least his departure wouldn’t feel like betrayal. Ritter and Damon, however, could leave under darker circumstances if the show writes them out as casualties of the cuts.
Emotional Fallout Ahead
Firehouse 51 has been through loss before. They’ve buried colleagues, survived explosions, and rebuilt after tragedy. But this shake-up feels personal. It’s not an enemy they can fight. It’s not a fire they can put out. It’s the system working against them.
That’s what makes this new chapter so compelling. The family spirit that defines Firehouse 51 will be tested more than ever. Will they splinter under the pressure, or rally to bring their people back together?
What Fans Can Expect in Season 14
If Newman’s warning is anything to go by, season 14 will begin with heartbreak, upheaval, and big changes. But Chicago Fire has never been about easy wins. It’s about resilience, loyalty, and sacrifice.
One thing is certain: the shake-up will not be neatly resolved in one episode. It’s the launchpad for a season full of drama, tough choices, and maybe even more goodbyes.
The premiere airs Wednesday, October 1 at 9pm ET on NBC, following Chicago Med and leading into Chicago PD. Fans better strap in—because Firehouse 51 is about to be tested like never before.
